Former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, businessman and Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Foley participates in a televised debate with Stamford Mayor and Democratic nominee Dannel Malloy at the Belding Theater inside the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts October 5, 2010 in Hartford, Connecticut. Malloy and Foley, who are in a close race for Governor, spoke about creating jobs, the death penalty among other issues. (Photo by John Woike-Pool/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tom FoleyTom Foley, former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland and businessman, has announced he'll run again as a Republican for governor of Connecticut. He's seen here debating eventual Gov. Dannel Malloy on Oct. 5, 2010 in Hartford. (redit: John Woike-Pool/Getty Images)

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) — Just as Connecticut Republicans are gearing up for a primary election next month, one of the gubernatorial hopefuls, Tom Foley, is calling on a fellow Republican to drop out of the race, WCBS 880’s Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported.

Republican candidate John McKinney says he has no intention of dropping out of the race for governor. He said he continues to work hard out on the campaign trail to earn the party’s endorsement and the voters’ trust when they decide the issue at the polls on August 12.

“Maybe Tom’s used to buying things or getting things handed to him, but this is something, this Republican nomination to run against Dan Malloy, to be the governor of the state of Connecticut, is something that has to be earned through hard work,” McKinney told Schneidau.

McKinney says at this point, the race between the two candidates is neck and neck, with the decision by voters to come in just a couple of weeks. Tom Foley says he wants McKinney to drop out and endorse him, Schneidau reported.